Star Trek:

Matrix

Chapter 1:

Unexpected Visit

Captain's log: Stardate: 308268. It's been two years since our mission in the Vortex. We have since learned that the Vortex galaxy has been closed to the Federation; but Starfleet feels it may be only temporary. The crew has been on shore leave for some time, but reports of the Borg attack in the Sol system does have me worried.

Picard is reading his book in his quarters and a voice calls his title in French: "Mon capitaine!" Picard is startled and puts his book down. "Q! What the hell do you want?" "Well, I thought I'd drop buy and give you a new adventure." "We do not need any of your fantasies, Q. The Federation has had enough!" Q furrows his eyebrows, pretending to be innocent, "Oh, come now, Jean-Luc. I've come to let you have a new adventure in a world the Federation has not explored yet." Picard gets a glass of Earl Grey tea and puts it on his table. "What 'world'?" "It's called the Matrix!" "Matrix?" "Yes, you see, they've suffered a lot of losses due to their war with an army of machines called Sentinels. They need your help." "At least you're piquing my interest, Q. Where is this world?" "Earth, actually, late 22nd Century, the year 2199 to be exact." "Earth? It'll be good to be home for once." "Yes, but this Earth will not be recognizable. It has only one remaining city called Zion." "Zion?" Picard thinks about this mission. "For once you've piqued my interest. What can you tell me?" "I really don't want to spoil it too much; it's best that you see it for yourself."
Q snapped his fingers and the Enterprise spun starboard around the nearest sun and went counter clockwise. Picard woke from passing out. "Bridge to Captain Picard?" "Yes, Commander, I'm here." "Are you alright?" Captain Riker of the Titan asked, "What the Hell happened?" "I just had a curious visit from Q. He plunged us back in time to the late 22nd Century. Mr. Data, what do your instruments say of where the Enterprise is?" "Captain, my instruments report that we have been spun around the sun of the nearest system of planets. By my calculations, this area of space has no life at all." "How long til we reach the Sol system?" "Approx. 6 weeks, sir, at warp speed." "Proceed, Commander. Keep me apprised when we reach Earth." "Aye, sir."

Captain's log: Supplemental. The Enterprise has been taken backwards in time to the year 2199 and we believe that this Matrix world will be an adventure unlike any other we've experienced before.

"Bridge to Captain Picard, we've reached the Terran system." "Acknowleged, I'm on my way." Picard approaches the Bridge. "Report." "We are entering Earth solar system now, Captain." "Assume standard orbit, Lt. Crusher." "Aye, sir."

Riker approached Picard, "What did Q say?" Picard responded, "He said that this world has been through a war with Machines. And there's only one city remaining." Riker was a little stunned at this. "Well, I hope it's as exciting as he portrayed." "So do I, Number One."